News and Announcements
Queens Courrier Story On State Championship
THURSDAY AUGUST 30, 2007
RGMVM 10-11-year-olds win first ever New York State crown
As a player in the Ridgewood - Glendale - Middle Village - Maspeth (RGMVM) Little League, Steve Adams didn’t enjoy much success. He failed to win a district title at any level before going on to play at Monsignor McClancy High School and Manhattan College.
His legacy as a coach, however, is much different. In fact, he has accomplished more than any other manager in the history of the 55-year-old western Queens Little League.
After leading the 9- and 10-year-old tournament team to a city title and runner-up finish in the New York State tournament last summer, he guided them to the state crown this August, the first such championship for RGMVM.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “To come back and actually win it is a great accomplishment. I feel good for the kids.”
After dropping the opening game of the tournament, they came out of the loser’s bracket to take the New York State title winning their final four games. RGMVM capped the streak with an 11-3 win over Haverstraw Little League, their second win over them in as many games, at the Van Ness Little League field in the Bronx.
They trailed 2-0 early, but Gerard Fraracci drove in one run, Dan Ammirati knocked in four runs with a pair of doubles, Brandon Acosta smacked a three-run homer, and pitcher Chris Piteo also went yard and went the distance.
After dropping the opening game of the state tournament, 9-6 to Brighton Little League, RGMVM’s odds did not look so good. Their five-game winning streak was snapped, and one more loss would end their title hopes.
“I thought our chances were pretty slim,” Adams said, “but I knew we were talented enough.”
Indeed, they were. In Game 2 of the state tournament, RGMVM topped Rockville Center (Long Island), 6-3, despite trailing by a run with three outs to go in their season. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half of the sixth inning, Karl Klesin laced a 2-1 fastball over the wall in center, keeping RGMVM alive for another day.
Up next, RGMVM got revenge against Brighton, routing them 10-0. The win advanced them to the finals against Haverstraw, although RGMVM needed to win twice to gain the historic crown.
Again, they trailed in the first few innings, only to come storming back. Austin Nieves drove in two runs with a single, Piteo added a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring double, Tully homered, and Ammirati scored the game-winning run when Haverstraw threw away KC Surdi’s sacrifice bunt attempt in the sixth inning. Paul Hyland pitched a perfect sixth for the win. It set up the dynamic capper, when they bludgeoned Haverstraw for 11 runs.
The team was in the state tournament because of Piteo’s right arm. He pitched a complete-game one-hitter, blanking Mid Island Little League (Staten Island), 3-1, in Brooklyn for the team’s second city championship in as many years. Fraracci doubled in a run, Tully ripped a two-run homer, and Piteo struck out nine in the complete-game effort.
“He’s the leader of our team,” Adams said.
Since winning the momentous crown, Adams watched every game of the Little League World Series on ESPN and ESPN2 in Williamsport, PA. There is a method to his madness - next year, this group will vie for a spot in the 11-12-year-old division that plays on national television in the international tournament.
“Talent-wise, we’re good enough to get there,” Adams said. “You need everything to fall the right way; you need some breaks, need some calls. Everything needs to go in your favor. I haven’t talked to them about it, but the kids know we’re pretty good and they realize it’s a possibility.”
RGMVM 11U Boys Win New York State Championship !
NYS Championship Game vs Haverstraw – August 8, 2007
After an initial first round loss, followed by potential elimination in three previous games versus Rockville Centre, Brighton and Haverstraw, Ridgewood/Glendale/Middle Village/Maspeth (RGMVM) found themselves back in the Bronx playing in the "winner-take-all" 2007 NYS 10-11 Year Old Little League Championship game versus Haverstraw.
The two teams squared off Tuesday in a well played, close game (6-5) and one which RGMVM needed to win in order reach today’s grand finale. After opening ceremonies, RGMVM again found themselves losing the coin toss for home field advantage against Haverstraw, but the lineup quickly loaded the bases on 2 hits and a walk in the top of the first inning. Just as the team looked poised to open up the game, Haverstraw ended the threat by forcing three consecutive ground outs to the infield.
RGMVM subsequently emerged from the dugout and onto the diamond behind their ace pitcher #34 Chris Piteo, but after 2 consecutive fielding errors, they quickly found themselves trailing 1-0 after the first inning. If the first inning was a sign of where things were headed, the top of the 2nd inning brought even greater concern as RGMVM went down swinging on 3 consecutive strikeouts delivered by Haverstraw’s pitcher. Piteo retired Haverstraw in the bottom of the 2nd inning on 14 pitches, but not before Haverstraw tacked one on via a solo home run.
With the game fast approaching the midpoint mark, RGMVM found themselves down 2-0 and searching to find their familiar stride. No sooner did the thought enter the minds of the RGMVM spectators when #18 Karl Klesin singled, followed by #27 Austin Nieves who was hit by a pitch and after both advanced on a passed ball, the bases were loaded via a walk by # 9 Eric Tully. The stage was now set for #10 Gerard Fraracci who produced an RBI single scoring Klesin. The bases remained loaded for redemption by #4 Dan Ammirati who grounded out under the same situation in the 1st inning. On a 0-1 count, Ammirati ripped a double to score Nieves and Tully and RGMVM was now ahead 3-2.
Piteo delivered in the bottom of the third retiring the side on 6 pitches, but once again giving up a solo home run to Haverstraw to tie the game at 3-3. The top of the fourth brought a towering solo home run by #34 Chris Piteo to go ahead 4-3. Klesin singled and Nieves was once again hit by a pitch, but this time Tully was walked intentionally to load the bases and it was déjà vu all over again. This time Fraracci reached on a fielder’s choice, while Klesin was forced out at home. With two outs and bases loaded, #4 Dan Ammirati stepped to the plate crushing another 2 RBI double scoring Nieves and Tully and placing RGMVM atop 6-3.
Piteo retired the side in the bottom of fourth on 11 pitches to keep Haverstraw at bay. The 5th inning was scoreless for both teams with strong pitching by Piteo holding Haverstraw to 3 runs on 3 hits. In the top of the sixth, with the score 6-3 in RGMVM’s favor, parents and coaches alike were thinking "insurance". With Tully and Ammirati aboard on walks, #25 Brandon Acosta dialed up "GEICO" for a 3-run towering home run over the right centerfield fence putting RGMVM ahead 9-3. The insurance runs didn’t end there. With 2 outs in the book, #1 TJ Ritter reached after getting hit by a pitch and a single by Piteo made way for a 2 RBI double by #18 Karl Klesin putting RGMVM ahead by 8 with a score of 11-3.
The bottom of the 6th and final inning was put away quickly by Piteo on 11 pitches to secure RGMVM’s first ever NYS Little League Championship Title in their 55 year history; chartered in 1952, RGMVM is Queens oldest Little League. It should also be noted that this Tournament Team also attained an historic 2006 City/Sectional Championship for RGMVM and a 2nd Place finish in last year’s 2006 NYS 9-10 year old Little League Championship as well.
Proud parents, family and RGMVM would like to congratulate Manager Steve Adams, Coach Brian Chrzastek, Coach Hugh Tully and players Chris Piteo, Eric Tully, Brandon Acosta, Austin Nieves, Dan Ammirati, Karl Klesin, Pauly Hyland, TJ Ritter, KC Surdi, Gerard Fraracci, Shane Hitzler and Anthony Locasio for a job well done!!
State Game #4 vs Haverstraw – August 7, 2007
On another stifling summer evening, RGMVM made the trek to the Bronx to square off against undefeated Haverstraw in the NYS 10-11 Year Old Little League Championship.
RGMVM would need two wins against this strong team who have tallied nine straight wins to this point. RGMVM knew what was needed to be done and were rallying behind the strong arm of #10 Gerard Fraracci to help them succeed in this Game 1 match-up.
With RGMVM away, the first three batters went down hard with a fly-out and two K’s. Haverstraw answered in the bottom of the first with 2-hits, followed by a wild pitch and fielder’s choice to score their first run. Justin Repress, the pitcher for Haverstraw and RGMVM’s Fraracci retired each of the first 3 batters they faced via exceptional pitching, yielding a scoreless 2nd inning and Haverstraw was still ahead 1-0. The top of third proved pivotal for RGMVM. With #25 Brandon Acosta and # 1 TJ Ritter both reaching on errors and advancing to second and third as a result of an errant throw, #34 Chris Piteo belted a sacrifice fly to score Acosta and move Ritter to third on the throw home.
RGMVM continued with a walk by #18 Karl Klesin and a 2 RBI single by Austin Nieves that scored Ritter and Klesin. The inning ended with Nieves thrown out at the plate attempting to score on an error by Haverstraw’s right fielder, but not before RGMVM was up 3-1. Two doubles in the bottom of the 3rd produced another run for Haverstraw, closing RGMVM’s lead to one run. However, RGMVM’s lead would widen once again in the top the fourth, after #9 Eric Tully belted a 3-2 pitch over the centerfield fence for a towering solo home run and a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Haverstraw scored 3 runs on two hits and 4 errors by RGMVM, who regained composure and ended the inning by throwing Haverstraw out at home on a 9-6-3 (Klesin-Piteo-Acosta) relay from right field allowing Haverstraw to emerge with only a 1 run, 5-4 lead heading into the 5th.
After a pair of doubles by #25 Brandon Acosta and #34 Chris Piteo, the game was tied at 5-5 midway thru the 5th. Haverstraw was kept silent in the 5th with #6 Pauly Hyland pitching in relief of Fraracci. Hyland would force a 1-4-3 double play after the lead batter reached on an error followed by a ground out to first base to retire the side. In the top of the sixth inning with the game tied at 5-5, #4 Dan Ammirati reached first base on an error by Haverstraw’s first baseman. A passed ball at the plate advanced Ammirati to 2nd, setting up a sacrifice bunt attempt by #7 KC Surdi who laid down a gem toward 3rd which was thrown away by Haverstraw and allowed Ammirati to score the go ahead run.
In the bottom of the sixth, #6 Paul Hyland pitched a 1-2-3 inning with 2 K’s to secure the win and propel RGMVM one step closer to a potential NYS Championship. The RGMVM 11U Tournament Team had now topped their historical 2006 feat, by advancing one game further in the tournament. The final winner-take-all game is scheduled for Wednesday August 8th, 2007 at 5:30 PM at Van Ness. GO RGMVM!!
This story appeared in the upstate newspaper. More on the leagues first ever State Championship to follow..
Pictures / video here: pictures- http://jukebox.lohud.com/photos/index.php?section=sports
video - http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20070809/VIDEO/308090007/-1/multimedia
Haverstraw overtaken in state title game
(Original Publication: August 9, 2007)
NEW YORK - Haverstraw pitcher Jariel Burgos had extricated himself from an explosive first-inning situation yesterday.
His teammates then responded by supplying him with a run in each of the first two innings. Haverstraw appeared to have the upper hand in the state 10- and 11-year-old baseball championship game. However, beginning in the third inning, Danny Ammirati and Chris Piteo of Ridgewood/Glendale/Middle Village/Maspeth asserted themselves.
Ammirati drove in four runs and Piteo tossed a four-hitter as the Queens team defeated Haverstraw 11-3 to win the state title at Van Nest Little League Complex last night.
Queens completed its run after opening the state championship tournament with a loss on Saturday.
Piteo struck out three and threw 71 pitches. He also had two hits, including a solo rip in the fourth inning, giving Queens the lead for good at 4-3.
"He was throwing hard, throwing a lot of strikes and his defense was working well behind him," said Haverstraw 12-year-old Joe Anselmi, a seventh-grader at Willow Grove Middle School.
Steve Hegner and Anselmi homered over the left-field fence in the second and third innings, respectively. However, Haverstraw's other two hits were of the infield variety by Brandon Respress.
"We have nine guys who can put the bat on the ball but in these last two games I think we were held to about seven hits," Haverstraw manager Ricky Desch said.
Queens squandered a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the first, thanks to Burgos. Three consecutive forceouts negated the uprising, the last by Ammirati.
Ammirati did not forget this when he stepped into the box in the third inning.
"It bothered me," said the 12-year-old Ammirati of his first at-bat.
After Gerard Fraracci's flare cleared the infield and just dropped inside the right-field line scoring a run, Ammirati stepped in with the bases loaded. He smoked a 0-1 pitch for a double, bringing in Austin Nieves and Eric Tully, giving Queens a 3-2 lead.
A one-out homer by Piteo that landed in center field on the adjacent field gave Queens a 4-3 lead in the fourth. With two outs, Ammirati faced another bases-loaded situation and delivered another two-run double.
"I was looking for the fastball like I always do and he gave it to me just like he did in the third inning and I did the same thing," said Ammirati, a seventh-grader at Our Lady of Hope in Middle Village.
Anselmi, whose home run had tied the score at 3-3 in the third, said he and his teammates felt they were back in the game and still had a shot to win heading to the fourth. That feeling would change, though.
"After he (Piteo) hit the home run to put them up 4-3, that was really a big hit for them," Anselmi said.
Despite the disappointing loss, Haverstraw enjoyed a tremendous summer.
"It was awesome," Anselmi said. "We made an awesome run and fell a little short but we faced a good team. We have nothing to hang our heads about."
State Game #3 vs Brighton – August 6, 2007
After surviving a potential loss that would have had RGMVM watching this game from the bleachers, the players found themselves revived and on track as they faced the team that delivered their only loss this season. After winning the coin toss again, RGMVM took to the field behind the right arm of #9 Eric Tully who executed a flawless first retiring the first 3 batters on 11 pitches. After a leadoff single by Piteo in the bottom of the first, RGMVM batters Locasio and Nieves connected on several pitches which were fielded nicely by Brighton ending a scoreless inning.
After a leadoff single and error, Brighton went down in the second on a strikeout and exceptionally executed 5-5-3 double play. The bottom of the second is where RGMVM unleashed their frustrations. After a leadoff double by #4 Dan Ammiratti and walk by #7 KC Surdi, #25 Brandon Acosta executed the call for a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners over to 2nd and 3rd. A fielder’s choice by #2 TJ Ritter scored Ammirati as an error ensued and Surdi also reached home as the ball was thrown around. With Ritter on second, #34 Chris Piteo stepped to the plate and smashed a 2-run homer over the right centerfield fence adding to RGMVM’s lead which was now 4-0. After a groundout by #2 Locasio a two out rally ensued with back to back singles by Fraracci and Tully eventually ending up on 2nd and 3rd due another Brighton fielding error. That set-up a 2 RBI single by #27 Austin Nieves and the score was now 6-0. Ammirati reached base next after being hit by a pitch and Nieves moved over to second. A wild pitch had both runners advancing with Nieves scoring and followed by Ammirati on another fielding error by Brighton at 2nd base. The inning ended on a fly ball to 3rd by #25 Brandon Acosta, but not before RGMVM had registered and 8-0 lead. In the top of the third, following a leadoff single by Brighton, Tully retired the side on 7 pitches forcing a ground out and 2 fly balls. In the bottom of the third after a walk by #6 Paul Hyland and single by #18 Karl Klesin, both runners advance on a wild pitch. Then to the dismay of RGMVM, both Hyland and Klesin score as a couple of unnecessary throwing errors by Brighton appear to have sealed their fate for a mercy ruling. The score at the end of three innings now stood at 10-0. In the top of the fourth, with Brighton requiring a run to stay alive, the combined pitching of #9 Eric Tully and reliever #6 Paul Hyland secured the win by forcing 3 consecutive fly-outs. The win advances RGMVM into the final match-up versus Haverstraw, mimicking RGMVM’s historic performance last year in the 2006 NYS 10U Championships However, with no losses recorded for Haverstraw, RGMVM will need to secure two wins in order to take home the Championship. Game 1 is scheduled for Van Ness on Tuesday, August 6th, 2007 at 5:30 PM. BEST OF LUCK – RGMVM!!!
State Game #2 vs Rockville Centre – August 5, 2007
RGMVM made their way back to the Bronx on this stifling summer Sunday to square off against neighbor Rockville Centre. Both local teams had found themselves the victims of an opening loss, and today’s match-up would decide the first organization to make an early exit out of the NYS Little League Championship. After winning the coin toss and accepting home field, RGMVM players exited the dugout and once again assumed their fielding positions behind the solid right arm of #34 Chris Piteo. In the top of the first, it appeared that Rockville was digging in, logging 2 hits to go ahead 1-0. RGMVM surrendered themselves in the bottom of the first on 10 pitches, which brought on an unfamiliar silence consistent with a great match-up involving dire consequences. In the top of the 2nd, three hits produced another run for Rockville who found themselves up 2-0 early in the 2nd. In the bottom of the 2nd, RGMVM’s #10 Gerard Fraraaci opened up with a single up the middle and advancing to second base on a fielding error by the center fielder. The stage was set for #27 Austin Nieves, who doubled up the middle scoring Frarraci and pull within 1 run of the lead. Innings 3 and 4 proved fruitless for both opponents as quality pitching and exceptional defense was put forth by both teams. The top of the 5th produced another run for Rockville following 2 hit inning and giving Rockland a 3-1 lead. The bottom of the fifth proved stressful for RGMVM as two of three players were thrown out at close plays at the plate. Following back to back walks to #1 TJ Ritter and #9 Eric Tully, RGMVM’s first attempt to score was cut short at home as Ritter was tagged out on an fielders choice (FC) by Frarraci. Tully subsequently scored on a passed ball, but Frarraci was tagged out on his attempt following a wild pitch and several throws by Rockville. At the end of 5 innings, RGMVM found themselves trailing 3-2 and players and parents alike could feel the tension as an unfamiliar silence fell upon the field. Piteo took the mound, retiring Rockville on 13 pitches to keep the game close. However, many sensed that maybe this was the closing chapter for RGMVM. After a hard hit ground out by #4 Dan Ammirati you could hear a pin drop. RGMVM parents held their breadth as # 27 Austin Nieves stepped to the plate and was hit by a pitch. The next batter, #16 Shane Hitzler drew a walk, to the ovation of RGMVM spectators. A passed ball followed, advancing Nieves and Hitzler to 2nd and 3rd followed by #25 Brandon Acosta who also drew a walk, loading the bases in the bottom of the sixth. All had stepped into the batter’s box with RGMVM’s NYS Championship fate on their shoulders and all had executed their task of avoiding the record of an additional out or double play ball that would end their season. With the bases loaded and one out in the books, # 18 Karl Klesin stepped to the plate, and as per the instruction of Manager Steve Adams, he was informed to take a strike and then given permission to swing away. With the count 2-1, Klesin executed by ripping a line drive shot that continued to rise way over the centerfield fence for a walk off grand slam win; sustaining RGMVM’s hopes of winning the 2007 NYS Championship. The impending fear of a closed chapter actually resulted in a storybook ending for RGMVM, as they now return to Van Ness to face off against the team that sent them into the loser’s bracket. State Game # 3 vs Brighton LL is scheduled for Monday, August 6th, 2007 at 5:30 PM on this same Bronxchester field. Come down and cheer RGMVM on as they strive to make history once again!!!
State Game #1 vs Brighton – August 4, 2007
After the NYS Little League Championship opening ceremonies, RGMVM took to the field to face a familiar opponent Brighton LL. The team from Rochester also reached the state finals in 2006, and was eliminated by RGMVM in game #2 held in Islip LI.
This time around however, the outcome would be totally different. With Fraracci on the mound keeping Brighton at bay, RGMVM jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first via a double by Piteo and RBI triple by Fraracci. A walk by Tully and Ammirati set up a bases loaded 2 RBI single by Paul Hyland and RGMVM found themselves up 3-0. The top of the second witnessed only one single, however a combination of infield errors gave back 2 runs to Brighton. In the top of the third, after surrendering a leadoff double, Fraracci retired the side on a ground out and 4-6-3 double play. In the bottom of the 3rd, after a single by Ammirati and two wild pitches advancing him to third, TJ Ritter reached first on a fielding error by the second baseman scoring Ammirati. Piteo subsequently stepped to the plate and belted another towering homerun over the left centerfield fence and RGMVM was up 6-2. Although the game appeared to be in check, RGMVM found themselves in very unfamiliar territory with an onslaught of fielding and throwing errors over the last three innings handing the hard hitting Brighton 9 runs and the game. RGMVM bats were silent for the remainder of the game as well allowing their first defeat to unfold after 5 straight victories this 2007 season. Similar to the road they chose last year, they now found themselves catapulted into the loser’s bracket of the double elimination tournament. It appears these kids must love to play, as they have now elected to take the scenic route to a potential 2007 NYS Championship victory. Difficult? – YES, Impossible? – NO! Game #2 is scheduled for 11 AM Sunday August 5th versus Rockville Centre on the beautiful Bronxchester field at Van Ness. GO RGMVM!
2007 RGMVM 11U Tournament Team Wins New York City Championship!
The 11U Team Takes The New York City Little League Championship By Defeating Staten Island 3-1 Behind The Pitching Of Chris Piteo.
TOURNAMENT GAME SUMMARY / NEWS:
SECTION GAMES:
A Brooklyn NY setting was most appropriate for the 2007 Section Championship rematch between RGMVM and Staten Island. Traveling to Kings Bay LL on August 1st, 2007, RGMVM set there sights once again on capturing a City/Sectional title after making history in 2006. As the game commenced on the well groomed field, all players and parents alike knew it would be a gem of a game between two well rounded teams.
After 2 scoreless innings with #34 Chris Piteo in total control on the mound, RGMVM put up their only runs of the game. After a single by TJ Ritter and a beautiful sacrifice bunt by KC Surdi to move TJ into scoring position, Gerard Frarraci doubled to score Ritter opening up a 1-0 lead. The offense did not stop there as Eric Tully ripped a towering 2 run shot over the right field fence to put RGMVM ahead 3-0. Piteo continued to dominate through the third, allowing no hits and striking out a total of five 5 to that point. In the bottom of fourth, after reaching base on an error and advancing to second, Staten Island scored on their only hit of the game. Anthony Locasio and Chris Piteo opened up the 5th with back to back singles, but Staten Island’s relief kept RGMVM at bay through to the sixth. Piteo retired the first three batters in the bottom of the sixth, giving RGMVM Little League their second Sectional Title and advancing them into the NYS Championship finals accomplishing the feat on a 1-hitter with a total of 60 pitches (53 strikes, 7 balls) and 9 strikeouts. RGMVM now heads to Van Ness Little League in the Bronx to see if they can capture the NYS Championship that eluded them in 2006.
The first game is scheduled for Sunday August 4th versus a returning 2006 final four team Brighton LL form Rochester. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE RGMVM PLAYERS!!!
The team now heads to the NY State Championship which will be held Saturday Aug 4 in the Bronx at Van Nest LL. Game times and more info to follow..
Come down and root our Boys on to a first ever RGMVM LL State Championship.....
Section Game #2 - July 30, 2007
RGMVM traveled back to Van Ness on July 30 with memories of their 2006 City/Sectional win at the Bronx field still fresh in their minds. This year however, their opponent was Patterson in game #2 of the Sectional Round.
With #9 Eric Tully on the mound for RGMVM, Patterson jumped out to an early 2-0 lead following a 2-run homer in the top of the first. Not to worry as RGMVM responded in the bottom of the 2nd. After back to back walks to Karl Klesin and Dan Ammirati, TJ Ritter punched an RBI single scoring Klesin to pull within 1 run. Patterson then tacked on a run in the top of 3rd to go ahead 3-1 putting RGMVM in unfamiliar territory for the first time this 2007 season.
After a scoreless 3rd, and a 9 pitch retirement of Patterson by Tully in the top of the 4th, RGMVM responded with a towering 3 run homer over the left centerfield fence by # 34 Chris Piteo following a walk by #6 Paul Hyland and single by Brandon Acosta. Tully kept Patterson at bay in the 5th with another 9 pitch inning that included a nicely executed 6-4-3 double play by Hitzler-Piteo-Nieves.
RGMVM tacked on 4 more runs in the fifth after singles by Tully, Acosta and Nieves setup an RBI walk by TJ Ritter, followed by a base clearing 3 RBI double by Chris Piteo which scored Hyland, Acosta and Ritter. Patterson responded with a solo home run in top of the sixth, but a little too late as Patterson succumbed to RGMVM 8-4.
After the win, the RGMVM 11U Tournament team found themselves traveling a familiar road as they set there sights on Staten Island in the City/Sectional Championship to be played on Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at Kings Bay, Brooklyn. GO RGMVM!
Section Game #1 - July 28, 2007
Rested after their District 27 Championship win on July 16, the RGMVM 11U Tournament Team headed back to Broad Channel, mosquito repellant in hand, to face Van Ness in game #1 of the City/Sectional round.
On the mound for RGMVM was # 10 Gerard Fraracci, retiring Van Ness in the first inning on 11 pitches with two ground balls to Ammirati at short and one to Tully at 3rd. RGMVM opened up with a slew of offense in the 1st. With the bases loaded, Austin Nieves roped a 2 rbi doubled to score Shane Hitzler and Eric Tully followed by a 2 rbi single by Paul Hyland that drove in Fraracci and Nieves. A single by Brandon Acosta moved Hyland to 2nd, and another RBI was in the books via a single by TJ Ritter placing RGMVM ahead 5-0. Fraracci kept Van Ness in check in the 2nd and 3rd with no runs scored. In the bottom of the 3rd, after Ammirati reached on a throwing error, #27 Austin Nieves belted a towering 2-run homer over the centerfield fence to stretch RGMVM’s lead to 7-0.
After a scoreless 4th and 5th for Van Ness, RGMVM ended the game subsequent to scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth. After Acosta was hit by a pitch, and singles by TJ Ritter and Shane Hitzler, Tully walked to score Acosta and Fraracci doubled scoring Ritter and Hitzler, ending the game at a score of 10-0.
Fraracci pitched a strong game for a total of 6 strikeouts and 2 hits to put Game #1 behind them.
Next up is Game #2 vs Patterson to be played at Van Ness on Monday July 30, 2007. GO RGMVM! RGMVM’s
District Championship – July 16, 2007
On July 16, 2007 the RGMVM 11U Tournament Team headed back to Broad Channel to face Ozone Howard in the District 27 Championship Game. The game once again opened up under threatening skies but the players did not let it rain on their parade.
On the mound for RGMVM was #10 Gerard Fraracci. After a shaky start and Ozone Howard scoring in bottom of the 1st to go ahead 1-0, Fraracci settled down and kept Ozone Howard at bay into the fourth inning pitching 3 scoreless innings. RGMVM came back in the 4th to tie the game after a leadoff walk by Fraracci and RBI double by Karl Klesin.
In the 5th inning, Eric Tully homered with a towering shot to straightaway center to put RGMVM ahead 2-1. The scoring did not end there as Ammirati singled, ultimately advancing to third where he scored on a wild pitch. A single by Locasio and a fielders choice set up an RBI double by Paul Hyland scoring Klesin from 1st and giving RGMVM a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, #9 Eric Tully started in relief of Fraracci and retired Ozone on 8 pitches.
In the top of the sixth, RGMVM tacked on an insurance run after singles by Tully and Dan Ammirati set up an RBI single by Fraracci scoring Tully. Ozone scored two in the sixth before the game was put away giving this RGMVM team their second District 27 Title and propelling them into City/Sectional round.
RGMVM continues to excel on their strong pitching, exceptional defense and timely hitting by all players. Next stop is #1 of the Sectional to be played at Broad Channel on July 28, 2007. Good Luck boys!
11U Tournament Team set out for their first District 27 Tournament game versus Ozone Howard (1-0) on Wednesday July 11, 2007.
The game, which was held at nearby Broad Channel, commenced under threatening fog shrouded skies, which eventually opened up and suspended play - but not before RGMVM scored 13 runs by the top of the fourth inning and were still at the plate with nobody out.
The boys hit the ball hard and deep all night, with Ozone Howard playing exceptional defense in the outfield. Offensive was provided off the bats of Chris Piteo (3-3, 2 HR, 7 RBI’s), which included a Grand Slam in the 4th, Gerard Fraracci (2-3), Austin Nieves (1-3), Karl Klesin (1-1), Paul Hyland (1-1), and Shane Hitzler (2-2, 2 RBI’s).
On the mound for RGMVM was #34 Chris Piteo who threw 3 scoreless innings throwing a total of 53 pitches (38 S, 15 B, and 7K’s) while allowing 2 hits to secure RGMVM's first win of the 2007 Tournament season.
Ozone Howard opted not to continue the suspended game and conceded in the top of the fourth inning with RGMVM ahead 13-0. Giving RGMVM their first win in the series.
The RGMVM 11U team has been practicing under the watchful eye of Manager Steve Adams, who led the team to a historical 2nd Place finish in the 9-10 Yr Old State Championships in 2006. The boys are hoping to attain another shot at the 10-11 Yr Old title in 2007. Their next game is scheduled for 5:30 PM on Monday, July 16, versus WORKS at Broad Channel LL.
Click on the handouts for game summaries and team stats.
Major And Minor Teams Celebrate Little League Tournment Runs...
RGMVM Little League Honors Tournament Teams
On, Friday February 16th RGMVM Little League held an awards night to recognize their Minors and Majors Division Tournament Champions. League President Pat Piteo presented all the boys with plaques. The Minors Division team managed by Steve Adams won the Districit and Sectional Championship. The team came up a little short in the NY State title game. This group of boys still has two years of Little League Tournament eligibility.
The other team honored was the Majors Division Tournament team which won the District Championship. This team fell one game short of winning the Sectioanl Championship, losing to the eventual North East representative in Williamsport (Staten Island Little League). The team was managed by Rich Callaghan. The members of this team have nothing to be ashamed of after winning the District Championship as Minors, 11 yr. Olds and Majors. Most of these players have completed their Little League eligibility. The league can be very proud as these young men head off to possible roster spots on High School teams. Some of those schools include Regis, Molloy, Christ the King, McClancy, and Kellenberg.
As a community we have a responsibility to our youth, both girls and boys. RGMVM Little League is about to kick off its’ 56th Season with the annual parade on April 7th. Come out and support our neighborhood youth as they play softball and baseball on Queens’ best Little League fields.
The coaches clinic was a great sucess....
I want to thank coach Ed Blankmeyer head coach of the
St Johns Red Storm who took time out from his busy schedule to come down and conduct the clinic.
Also attached is the Ed Blankmeyer St. Johns 2006 camp information.
The camps and clinics run by Coach Blankmeyer are the
finest run baseball learning and teaching experiences around.
Coach Blankmeyer's camps and clinics are a must if are looking to help you kid learn the game of baseball the correct way.
